Abstract
Abstract. Wood as a common construction material in historical buildings, material characteristics and environmental condition is always the main causes to degradation. Dong minority Drum Tower is one of the essential parts of Chinese wooden structural heritage. However, Drum Towers are, at present, in a poor state of conservation, especially suffering from fire risks, biological attacks, mechanical failures and bad interventions.This paper aims to record the observed damage through a classification approach that poses negative impact on the aesthetics and stability of Drum Towers. Firstly, based on the definition and term in relevant standards, a clear and structured damage classification on historical wooden structures is concluded according to the different hazard grades and causes, which are alteration, defect, deterioration and mechanical failure. Secondly, the characteristics of each damage in Drum Towers are revealed through the field survey and classification. At last, the actual condition is presented through a case study of Zengying Drum Tower. Subsequently, a multi-risks prevention in the Drum Tower is discussed, recommendations are proposed with the purpose of controlling the most fatal risks, ranging from insects and fungi risks with operable acceptance by local people and authorities.
Highlights
In wood science, defect defines all types of defects in wood that negatively affect the quality and function of wood
For wooden historical buildings, the type of damage to wooden components is the natural defects caused by the wood itself, and the decay, discoloration, mould, and insect attacks caused by biological factors such as fungi and pests, material degradation caused by other non-biological factors, as well as deformation, slope, and disconnection, caused by mechanical failures
If the damage classification of historical building wood components directly refer to the above standards, there will still be situations where the definition is not comprehensive or clear, which has resulted in obscure determination of damage types of wood components during visual survey and inappropriate interventions could be adopted
Summary
Defect defines all types of defects in wood that negatively affect the quality and function of wood. The national standard " Defects in Log" GB/T115-2017 divides wood defects into six categories: knots, cracks, trunk defects, wood structural defects, fungal defects, and injuries(Standardization Administration of China, 2017), which summarizes the natural defects of wood as a biological material. For wooden historical buildings, the type of damage to wooden components is the natural defects caused by the wood itself, and the decay, discoloration, mould, and insect attacks caused by biological factors such as fungi and pests, material degradation caused by other non-biological factors, as well as deformation, slope, and disconnection, caused by mechanical failures. The Drum Tower is the most crucial timber building and the landmark that identifies Dong minority's harmonious relationship between nature and man-made structures. The previous contribution highlighted, but little studies have discussed the current risks or the damage classification of wooden structures
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